Ignite Game Technologies ("Ignite") and INDYCAR today announced the Silicon Valley-based video game company will develop the next official INDYCAR game and release it on its online racing platform, Simraceway (" />

Simraceway(R) to Create Official INDYCAR Game

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/24/12 -- Ignite Game Technologies ("Ignite") and INDYCAR today announced the Silicon Valley-based video game company will develop the next official INDYCAR game and release it on its online racing platform, Simraceway (http://simraceway.com/).

The title will include all the teams and tracks from current and future IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races in live, full-size re-creations of each season, authentic vehicle physics affirmed by four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, and millimeter-perfect tracks produced by highly-accurate laser-scanning techniques. While its launch date is yet to be announced, Ignite will be releasing details of its full feature set shortly, as well as a range of INDYCAR content, including the brand new 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car.

The company also stated that the game will be powered by its brand-new, proprietary "Skillquant" technology. Skillquant, the world's first 100 percent accurate, real-time player skill quantification system, is able to precisely match players in order to give them competitive online racing experiences, regardless of whether they are beginners used to playing arcade games or hardcore enthusiasts regularly driving sim racing titles.

The game's authenticity has been enhanced by significant involvement from two IndyCar legends, Franchitti and the late Dan Wheldon, who won the 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series championship and two Indianapolis 500s.

Franchitti is currently overseeing development of the game's vehicle dynamics, which will boast simulation-grade physics. Working alongside Simraceway's Head of Racing Physics Nico Rondet at the game's permanent, real-world testing facility on Infineon Raceway, the Scot has already begun shaking down the virtual IZOD IndyCar Series car -- a rigorous process that was aided by the fact he had just completed the shakedown for his real Target Chip Ganassi Racing car on the same track. Wheldon, who tragically lost his life at the end of the 2011 season, played a key role in getting the project off the ground, as well as helping make the company's S1 Steering Wheel -- which will be supported by the game -- a reality.

Having already started work on the title, Ignite is planning to use it to take the racing game genre in a new direction, with special emphasis on its in-car authenticity and more closely linking its virtual events with the real-world ones they mirror.

"Securing the license for a series with the glamour and prestige of INDYCAR represents a real coup for us and a clear sign of our intent for the Simraceway platform," said Ignite CEO Jonathan Haswell. "Not only will our players be able to enjoy exciting, on-demand races and prize-based challenges, they will soon be able to take part in completely authentic re-creations of some of the most celebrated events in motorsport, including the Indianapolis 500. We're particularly excited about the innovative plans we have to blur the line between virtual and real-life racing."

On the subject of the game's expert guidance, Haswell added: "We've been truly blessed to be able to call on two drivers so engrained in Indy car folklore. Dario will ensure our players experience the real deal when they're out on the track while the importance of Dan's help over the last few years cannot be overstated -- without his expertise and enthusiasm, we simply wouldn't be here -- and we plan to recognize his unstinting support and valued friendship in the game."

"I'm really enjoying working on a project as ambitious as Simraceway," added Franchitti, "and I'm naturally delighted that the team behind it is producing an IndyCar Series game. Having spent some time shaking down the DW-12 in the simulator and seeing the ambition of the people behind the game, I have no doubt that it's going to be a massive hit. I'm excited about doing my bit and helping to complete the work begun by my great friend, Dan Wheldon."

About Ignite Game Technologies

Ignite Game Technologies is a Silicon Valley-based online gaming company founded in 2008 by skill-quantification expert Jonathan Haswell to produce a new kind of racing game. The result, Simraceway, was launched in public beta in November 2011. The company counts four-time IndyCar Series winner Dario Franchitti and double Le Mans champion Allan McNish among its physics development team and benefited from the expertise of two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon before his death in 2011. It also has the distinction of being able to leverage a permanent real-world racing facility -- the Simraceway Performance Driving Center, based at Infineon Raceway -- for R&D. To date Ignite has raised $17.5 million.

About Simraceway

Simraceway is a free-to-play online racing world that offers live, person-to-person racing, utilizing highly-accurate, simulation-grade driving physics. It leverages a client-server model similar to those on popular online games such as World of Warcraft and features current and historic licensed content from a variety of auto and racing brands including Bentley, Bugatti, Mitsubishi, and Saleen. Its continually-evolving racing environment is constantly supplemented with new features and content to fully reflect the fast-moving, real-world motor racing scene.

About the IZOD IndyCar Series

The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier open-wheel series in North America, competing on a challenging combination of superspeedways, short ovals, undulating road courses and temporary street circuits. In 2012 the IZOD IndyCar Series will conduct races in the United States, Canada and one each in China and Brazil -- all available in high-definition worldwide through comprehensive, long-term agreements with ABC, the NBC Sports Network, ESPN International and TV Bandeirantes. The IZOD IndyCar Series continues to be the fastest, most diverse and most competitive racing series that features an international cast of star drivers and venues. A leader in motorsports technology, the IZOD IndyCar Series was the first in motorsports to utilize 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol and for 2012 its three engine suppliers will use passenger car-relevant E85. For more information on the IZOD IndyCar Series, visit www.indycar.com.

About the Firestone Indy Lights Series

Firestone Indy Lights is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Run primarily in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series events, the Firestone Indy Lights' schedule features races on road courses/street circuits and ovals, including the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Teams compete for almost $4 million in prize money in cars that are second only in speed to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit. Recent graduates of this fast and cost-effective series include Marco Andretti, Josef Newgarden, James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball, Ed Carpenter, Jay Howard, JR Hildebrand, and Alex Lloyd. For more information on the Firestone Indy Lights, visit www.firestoneindylights.com.